HR191
NOTES




JOB DESCRIPTION
Forms must be downloaded from the UCT website: http://www.uct.ac.za/depts/sapweb/forms/forms.htm
This form serves as a template for the writing of job descriptions.
A copy of this form should be kept on file in your office.
For re-evaluations, this form must be sent to your relevant HR Advisor/Officer
POSITION DETAILS
Position Title (current title)
Research assistant
Status of Post (tick)
New Post
Job Grade (current grade)
Payclass 6
Faculty (if applicable)
EBE
Department
Chemical Engineering
Section (if applicable)
Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research
Date of Compilation
10 April 2013
X
Re-evaluation
FOR OFFICE USE
Position Title
Job Title
Date of Grading
Grading Result
ORGANOGRAM
CeBER Director
Assoc.
Professor
SRO
Senior
lecturer
Postdoctoral
research
fellows (~6)
Technical
Officer
(molecular
biology)
Research
Officers
PA
Senior Scientific
Officer = Lab
Manager
Research
Intern
Research
assistant
Senior Admin.
Officer
Admin
assistant
Postgraduate
students
(~35-40)
PURPOSE
19 June 2012
Page 1 of 5
HR191
The main purpose of this position is two-fold:
1. To support the organization and infrastructure of the CeBER laboratories through:
i.)
supporting the Lab Manager in his/her role in controlling the affairs and interests of
CeBER’s laboratories while ensuring good lab practice and the highest standards
with respect to HSE.
ii.) supporting the senior administrator in the running of the purchasing system for the
research centre
2. To support the research effort of CeBER through providing laboratory-based research
assistance on short term research projects taken on by CeBER.
19 June 2012
Page 2 of 5
HR191
JOB CONTENT
Key Performance Areas (4 – 6)
1) Housekeeping of general working spaces
% of
time
spent
15%
Activities / Objectives / Tasks

and Bioreactors lab

2) Monitoring and updating service logs of
10%
Making sure the equipment is in good
running order. This includes
monitoring, calibrating and arranging
timeous services. (Weighing
balances, pH metres, dissolved
oxygen probes, autoclaves,
centrifuges, controlled environment
rooms)

Training students to use the pieces of
equipment listed above

4) Database purchasing
19 June 2012
10%
25%
Competencies
Lab is always tidy
Good communication skills,
Assertiveness
Organisational skills
Multitasking
Equipment is well maintained and always
in good working condition
Minimised downtime on equipment
Technical skills
Problem solving skills
Adherance to good health & safety
practices
Appropriate disposal of wastes
Organisational skills
Housekeeping skills
Consumables and chemicals always
available
Organisational skills
Laundry (lab coats sent to central
laundry services)

equipment
3) Waste Management
Ensuring work areas are clean and
good housekeeping is adhered to.
Results / Outcomes
Ensuring that all pieces of equipment
have updated booking sheets, log
books and standard operating
procedures.

Making sure that students know
where to dispose of hazardous
chemicals.

Monitoring waste levels and arranging
disposal.

Broken glassware bins monitored

BCL Medical waste disposal.

Ordering consumables and
chemicals.

Receiving orders, updating G drive
price lists.

Give delivery notes and invoices to
the purchaser and update the
database to show goods received.

Distributing orders to relevant
Page 3 of 5
Multitasking
HR191
students.
5) CeBER stock culture collection
10%

Restocking passage cupboard and
store room.

Keep inventory of chemicals in the lab
and store room as well as the poisons
cupboard up to date.

Keeping database updated

Assist with maintenance of glycerol
stocks at -60°C.

Assist with sub culturing and prep of
new stocks every 6 months.


6) Research
30%



Validation checking glycerol stocks
Maintenance of Haematococcus
culture by serial liquid transfer
Assist with setting-up and running of
bioreactors for specific research
projects
Provide research assistance with
short term research projects carried
out in CeBER as the need arises
Conduct independent research
project
Cultures well maintained (in good
physiological condition) and available to
users on request
Technical skills: sound
aseptic techniques and
ability to work reproducibly
and
Contribution to CeBER’s research portfolio
 Ability to critically




19 June 2012
Page 4 of 5
evaluate and interpret
data.
Organizational and
report writing skills.
Analytical skills
High level of ownership
and accountability.
Multitasking
HR191
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Qualifications
National Diploma in Chemical Engineering or Biotechnology
Minimum Experience
 One year experience in a research laboratory, conducting elements of research
assistance in projects
 Demonstrable experience in basic laboratory support
 Working knowledge of bioreactor systems
 Ability to perform multiple tasks concurrently.
 Ability to work independently and within a team.
 Good communication and interpersonal skills.
AUTHORITY
PRINT NAME
SIGNATURE
CONTACT NO.
DATE
Compiled by
Approved by
Reviewed by
19 June 2012
Page 5 of 5
HR191